Lubricant market approaches 200m euros

The lubricants market in Romania this year will exceed the 180 million litres reported for last year, said Daniel Condratov, chairman of Lubrichem, on Monday. Lubrichem is the Association of Producers and Importers of Automotive Lubricants, Chemicals and Accessories. In terms of value the market was worth some 180 million euros last year, according to estimates based on an average price of 1 euro per litre. “Counterfeits on the Romanian market are coming close to 30% of total lubricants sold,” market players say. The market is dominated by powerful companies like LukOil Downstream, Lubrifin Brasov, Petrom (part of OMV), MOL, Prista Oil, Hexol Lubricants, Chevron Oronite, Pirana, Oilchem Distribution and Calibra Oil. Petroleum giants like ExxonMobil, British Petroleum and Shell operate on this market through importers with brands such as Esso, Mobil and Castrol. ZF